THOMASVILLE — Thomas County Central High School educator Nicholas Haskin never planned to spend his days informing youth about the business world. Now, he could not imagine teaching anything else.

His original intention was to be an English teacher until he took an introductory business course. Then, his adviser Dr. Mary Willis asked him to be a teacher’s assistant because he had such an affinity for the subject. 

“She taught half of the class, and I taught the other half,” Haskin said. “I loved teaching the material and realized that many of my favorite high school teachers were in business education.” 

He has a Bachelor of Science in Business Education and a Master of Science in Business Education with Leadership, both from Valdosta State University. 

His path to TCCHS began when he started student teaching under then-faculty member Martha Winter, whom Haskin dubs an amazing teacher. He also credits former CTAE Director Cathy Myers and TCCHS mainstay Frank “Papa D” Delaney Jr.

“The thing I enjoy most about being a Yellow Jacket, other than the students, is being a small part of this amazing family and learning from the legends who taught before me,” Haskin said. “Having taught at TCCHS for 20 years now, I have watched legends grace the classroom who really love students and teaching.” 

Haskin teaches various business courses in entrepreneurship, business technology, human resources, and digital design. His classes are part of the TCCHS Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education, or CTAE, department.

“CTAE directly prepares students for high-wage, high-demand professions by educating them about and for their careers,” Haskin said. “In TCCHS CTAE programs, we teach valedictorians, athletes, welders, mechanics, nurses, doctors, pharmacists, teachers, farmers, producers, engineers, bankers, and future business leaders. We are a very inclusive community of learners.” 

He enjoys working with his CTAE family of educators and his students. 

“While I love the subject matter that I teach, my ultimate goal is not only to instruct but to mentor my students,” Haskin said.

He strives to create a classroom environment that builds relationships through true learning and helps them succeed. Many of his former students open businesses or start companies.

“I believe that relationships lead to learning,” he said. “Seeing students come back to school and share their successes is the best part of my job. Former students will forever be etched into who I am as a teacher and as a person.”

Haskin shares his love for business with his students through Future Business Leaders of America and the School Store. He is the TCCHS FBLA chapter head adviser, and his members work in the store, learning entrepreneurship skills. 

“After working in the school store with Mr. Haskin, I have learned a lot about responsibility and communication skills,” student Kayla Carr said. “I come to school early and on time because of working the store in the mornings, and I can tell that I have become better at creating conversation.”

TCCHS FBLA has won the Georgia FBLA Region 1 Conference and Competition 11 times in a row. Haskin and his fellow advisers lead students into these competitive events prepared. Some members even advance to or place at the national level. 

“In the past three years, Mr. Haskin has guided me through my FBLA ambitions and not once failed to believe in me,” junior Shelbie Ducharme said. “His support and guidance as an FBLA advisor has forever impacted the lives of my peers and me and enabled us to discover our places in the business world.”

His most memorable moments with TCCHS involve his students’ FBLA successes.

“I think almost every moment involves students achieving or overcoming something,” he said. “There’s no prouder moment than watching my students become region champions, state champions, and a select few walk across the national stage, placing as one of the top competitors in the world in their event.” 

Haskin shares a saying when asked about how he hopes to impact young minds.  

“My greatest hope, as a teacher, is that I’ve held that mirror high and anything my students see great, admirable, or memorable in me is just a reflection of their achievements shining back at them,” he said. 

Family is the most important thing in Haskin’s life, whether it be at home, church, or on the job. His wife, Erin, is a nurse practitioner at the McIntosh Clinic and a nationally-certified diabetes educator. They have three children, Cason, 15, Kynlee, 14, and Daniel, 16.

Furthermore, educating others will always be his unexpected but undeniable career home.

“I love teaching,” he said. “I could not see myself doing anything else.”